Shin Jung Hyun & Yup Juns
| Industry | Music |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1972 |
| Defunct | 1975 |
| Headquarters | South Korea |
| Products | Music albums |
Shin Joong Hyun & Yup Juns () was a South Korean rock ensemble consisting of Shin Joong-hyun as the lead guitarist and vocalist, Lee Nam-yi on bass, and Kim Ho-sik handling drums. The name "Yup Jun" derives from the romanization of yeopjeon, an ancient brass coin known as a "leaf coin."
Their 1974 release, Shin Jung Hyun & Yup Juns Vol. 1, achieved sales surpassing one million units. The popular track "The Beauty" (, Mi-in) earned the moniker "the song of thirty million," a reference to South Korea’s population at that time. This song was also featured in Lee Man-hee's film A Girl Who Looks Like the Sun.
The subsequent album, Vol. 2, contained subtle dissent against dictator Park Chung-hee. Shin's son, Shin Daechul, revealed that while Park requested a song praising him, the band instead composed "Beautiful Rivers and Mountains" (, Areumdaun Gangsan), an ode to Korea’s natural scenery. This act attracted heightened attention from government authorities. On 9 July 1975, the Park administration banned "The Beauty" alongside 44 other songs under censorship laws enacted through the Yusin Constitution, with the prohibition lasting until August 1987.
Part of the ban resulted from fans altering a lyric by substituting the word for "see" (보고, bogo) with terms implying obscenity or political critique, alluding to Park’s prolonged rule following constitutional amendments in 1972.
On 5 December 1975, Shin was arrested on charges related to marijuana possession and distribution dating back to October 1972, violating the Addictive Drugs Control Act. His trial commenced on 24 December, followed by enforced confinement in a psychiatric facility. In January 1976, the Ministry of Culture and Public Information prohibited public performances and album releases for 54 artists connected to marijuana use, including Shin. This crackdown ultimately resulted in the band's breakup.
Discography
- Shin Jung Hyun & Yup-Juns Vol. 1 (, 1974)
- Instrumental Best (, 1975)
- Shin Jung Hyun & Yup-Juns Vol. 2 (, 1975)